Hollywood is the epicenter of the film industry, so it's no surprise a wide array of Los Angeles film groups and networking opportunities exist to foster creativity and collaboration. From international film festivals to niche industry talks and workshops, there is something for everyone in the biz. If you are just starting out in the LA film industry, joining a film group is the perfect way to meet industry veterans and gain valuable career insights. There are also plenty of virtual events for those who can't make it in-person. Let's explore these 9 Los Angeles film industry groups and networks that can help advance your filmmaking career:
You're probably already aware of the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards that recognises the achievements of American indie filmmakers. But Film Independent also hosts a thriving community of filmmakers and welcomes new members. The organisation hosts over 250 events and screenings each year, including monthly seminars, panels and conversations hosted by industry leaders. You can also get involved in their artist development programs to further hone your filmmaking skills.
Membership benefits:
Membership costs: A general annual membership starts at $105.
Filmforum is LA's longest running organisation dedicated to experimental and independent film by providing a forum for independently produced, non-commercial work which has little opportunity of reaching the general public. They host regular screenings and discussions at their screening location 2220 Arts + Archives on W. Beverley Boulevard. This is a great community to join if you're an indie filmmaker interested in avant-garde and progressive media.
Membership benefits:
Membership costs: An individual annual membership starts at $75.
Dedicated to the support of groundbreaking cinema from around the world, IFS provides screening and development opportunities for independent filmmakers through showcases, events, and an annual IFS Film Festival. Their membership has grown to over 150 film lovers devoted to cinema preservation and offbeat cinema.
The IFS Film Festival showcases undiscovered independent films from around the world, alongside work from Hollywood's best known directors. Past films that have been unveiled at the IFS Film Festival include Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, the Brad Pitt produced documentary The House I Live In, Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight, and Atom Egoyan's Remember starring Christopher Plummer.
Membership benefits:
Membership costs: An individual annual membership costs $75.
Women in Media is an organisation promoting a respectful and inclusive workplace for all genders. Their goal is to provide education and networking opportunities to help propel the industry closer to 40-60% women in every film crew and department. The membership organisation hosts regular professional development panels, screenings and has a presence at top film festivals around the world.
As a female member you can create a profile on the popular online database The Crew List where studios and indie filmmakers can search for qualified women to hire for their crews.
Membership benefits:
Membership costs: An annual pro membership costs $120.
SuperScout is your own private location library – upload locations in minutes, tag them with ai in seconds, then search and share with your team
LAPPG is the perfect group for filmmakers with an interest in post production and film finishing. The organisation provides a forum to share knowledge, build community, explore technologies and techniques and encourage post production professionals to connect and expand their networks.
Membership is free and you don't need to live in Los Angeles to take advantage of it. As a member you get to connect with a supportive, diverse, and inclusive community as well as access valuable offers and discounts.
Membership benefits:
Membership costs: This group is completely free to join - sign up on the website.
The Secret Movie Club is a unique film community in Los Angeles that celebrates the love of classic cinema, with as many on 35mm as possible. The Secret Movie Club Theatre headquarters is in the downtown LA Arts District.
This club isn't just about watching movies, it also fosters a community of cinephiles. Each screening is introduced with background and trivia, and audiences are encouraged to stay afterward for discussions.
They also offer monthly film short screenings and competitions. Filmmakers can submit any short they want for screening, but competition shorts are made specifically for each event and usually follow a theme or constraint.
Buy tickets to the screenings online and stay on top of new announcements by following @secretmovieclub on Instagram/X; or by signing up to the email newsletter on their website.
Scriptwriters Network is a Non-Profit that provides events and networking opportunities (including seminars, speaker events and script competitions) for writers in film, television and new media.
Whether you're a filmmaker, a screenwriter or television scriptwriter, SN can help take your writing to the next level. You'll join a group of members as varied as the guest speaker list, which includes movie screenwriters, showrunners, executive producers, directors, television writers, actors, and video game and comic book writers.
Membership benefits:
Membership costs: A regular annual membership costs $219.
LA Film Festivals is a creative hub for top independent film festivals. It has grown to an impressive list of 12 festivals: LA Comedy Film Festival, LA Indie Film Festival, LA Queer Film Festival, LA Women in Film Festival, LA Black Film Festival, LA Asian Film Festival, LA Latinx Film Festival, LA Sci-Fi Film Festival, LA Action Film Festival, LA Horror Film Festival, LA Animated Film Festival, and LA Student Film Festival.
These events attract attention from around the world and filmmakers who are nominated will enjoy free networking events, complimentary festival passes, curated screenings and awards consideration.
You can purchase tickets to the screenings on the website. Events are open to all registered industry pass holders for the film festival.
Meetup is a platform that enables like-minded people to join groups and organise activities and events based on shared interests. It's an ideal platform to discover and attend casual networking events within the film industry.
Groups like Los Angeles Independent Film Group, Filmmakers Network – Hollywood, and the Los Angeles Film & TV Meetup Group boast thousands of members who come together each month from across the filmmaking industry.
Membership costs: It's free to create an account with Meetup and join any film related groups that take your interest.
Film groups are amazing resources for both experienced filmmakers and novices who want to learn more about jobs in film. Whether you're a location scout looking for work, a screenwriter, or work in post-production, there's so much you can learn from joining a community film group and making new industry connections in Los Angeles.
SuperScout is your own private location library – upload locations in minutes, tag them with ai in seconds, then search and share with your team
